A15061:68
An answer to a certain book, writtenAn answere to a certeine booke, written
An answer to a certain book, written by Master William Rainolds student of divinity in the English college at Rhemes, and entitled, A refutation of sundry reprehensions, cavils, etc. by William Whitaker ...An answere to a certeine booke, written by Maister William Rainolds student of diuinitie in the English colledge at Rhemes, and entituled, A refutation of sundrie reprehensions, cauils, etc. by William Whitaker ...
Printed at London : For Thomas Chard, 1585
Preface: AN ANSWER TO MASTER RAINOLDS PREFACE.Preface: AN ANSVVER TO MASTER RAINOLDS PREFACE.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Your Popes might have used greater show of honesty and godliness, then they have done, & yet be never the further of from their kingdom of Antichrist, which although it be much furthered and maintained by their pride, cruelty, covetousness, and such other most monstrous and outrageous demeanour, as they have used these many hundred years; yet it consisteth principally in that doctrine of Antichristianitie, which they hold, and by all possible means defend, most contrary to the holy and Catholic religion of Christ.
Your Popes might haue vsed greater shew of honestie and godlines, then they haue done, & yet be neuer the further of from their kingdome of Antichrist, which although it be much furthered and maintained by their pride, cruelty, couetousnes, and such other moste monstrous and outragious demeanour, as they haue vsed these manie hundred yeares; yet it consisteth principallie in that doctrine of Antichristianitie, which they holde, and by all possible meanes defend, most contrarie to the holie and Catholike religion of Christ.
And yet if your comparison were admitted, and the lives of those Antichrists throughly examined, it would appear, that there have not lived ever in any state from the beginning of the world more wicked, vile, and abominable men, then have been the Popes of Rome for divers hundred years together by testimony of their own histories. They have in tyranny exceeded Nero, in pride Nebuchadnezzar, or Alexander the great, in other common vices, them that for the same have been most infamously renowned in the world: wherein if any professor of the gospel should resemble them, or come near unto them, it were a just shame unto their person, but yet no disproof of their religion.
And yet if your comparison were admitted, and the liues of those Antichrists throughlie examined, it would appeere, that there haue not liued euer in anie state from the beginning of the worlde more wicked, vile, and abominable men, then haue bene the Popes of Rome for diuers hundred yeares together by testimonie of their owne histories. They haue in tyrannie exceeded Nero, in pride Nebuchadnezer, or Alexander the great, in other common vices, them that for the same haue bene moste infamouslie renowmed in the world: wherein if anie professour of the gospell should resemble them, or come neare vnto them, it were a iust shame vnto their person, but yet no disproofe of their religion.